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Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780345475466
ISBN number: 0345475461
Label: Ballantine Books
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 368
Printing Date: September 25, 2007
Publishing house: Ballantine Books
Release Date: September 25, 2007
Sale Popularity Level: 233096
Studio: Ballantine Books
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Explosive. Pulse-pounding. Heart-racing. From the bestselling author The Wall Street Journal hails as “one terrific writer,” Midnight Rambler is the breakout thriller of the year–a brawny, brainy novel of suspense that pairs James Swain’s trademark smooth-as-silk prose with a plot bigger and bolder than anything he’s done before.
In South Florida, Jack Carpenter is infamous. He’s the cop who busted the notorious serial killer Simon Skell–aka the Midnight Rambler–and sacrificed his badge and marriage in the process. Haunted by the Skell case, Carpenter now works as an abduction specialist in Fort Lauderdale, reuniting families with their missing children.
But the body of one of the Midnight Rambler’s victims has just been uncovered–and forensic evidence suggests Carpenter jailed the wrong man. With Skell just days away from release, the tarnished hero must reopen the case that shattered his life and the lives of eight murdered women.
As waves of heat and rain wash over the steamy streets, Carpenter races against the clock to reaffirm the case against Skell. Yet the deeper he digs, the more he starts to realize that Skell is just one piece in a terrifying puzzle of predation and murder, just one player in a shocking conspiracy that ranges across the state of Florida. And as the relentless Carpenter draws the net tighter, his enemies prepare to spring a devastating final surprise.
From the seaside bar that Jack Carpenter calls home to the glittering tourist kingdom in Orlando to the funky jungle of Coconut Grove, James Swain unleashes a wild ride into the heart of evil–with the Rolling Stones’ “Midnight Rambler” as the throbbing, terrifying soundtrack.
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Rated by buyers 
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Let me start by saying that there are some good aspects to this book. The plot moves quickly and the basic premise of a serial killer tying his crimes to the lyrics of a Rolling Stones song is intriguing, like Charles Manson and Helter Skelter. Even though it has been done by many and to much greater effect, I actually like the ex-cop down on his luck character. It basically frees him up to handle things his own way with nothing to guide him but is own moral code. From that starting point almost anything can happen which is crucial for a thriller. And most of all I liked Jack Carpenter's niche: finding missing children. The profiling, and special forensics and intense investigation is fascinating.
That said, I found the characters, dialogue and writing style of James Swain to be very weak. Almost all of the characters are placed in the story to be a prop to aid the plot as it stumbles along. Each is very one dimensional and since we don't get to spend much time getting to know these folks it is very hard to generate any feelings for them, good or bad. I am sure that Simon Skell is a deeply disturbed and evil man but only because Jack Carpenter, the protagonist, tells me so. Unfortunately, Skell is only a name because we don't get to meet him until the very end and then only very briefly. I really wanted to hate this guy but I never got the chance. The lawyer, Snook, is a real slimeball but we didn't get a chance to spend any time with him, coming away with a slimy feeling. Even the good guys (and girls) in the story are held at arms length so I felt no connection. I want some good snappy dialogue that gives some insight into who these people are. And I want to feel some emotion: fear, dread, worry, anger, elation, and joy. Quite frankly, I felt robbed.
Finally, the setting. Florida is a great place to set a book and lots of authors have brought the sights, sounds, smells and even tastes to life (MacDonald, Hiaason, Hall). But I got very little atmosphere from Swain.
Again, there is much to like, especially if you aren't too demanding of your thrillers. I would love for this series to improve because I would love to follow Jack Carpenter around while he finds and returns children to their families. I hope the subsequent book is a giant step forward.
Rated by buyers 
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Midnight Rambler appears to be the very first of a series featuring Jack Carpenter, a disgraced ex-cop, almost broke PI, who has a talent for finding "lost" children. The locale is the well worked ground of Southern Florida. Jack is a likeable protagonist - loving husband (although estranged from his wife), father (college age daughter) and dog owner (said dog borders on being a "partner" joining Jack on every road trip). Jack has a sense of humor, a temper, an exercise regimen, a set of seedy friends and enough "connections" to keep him informed or provide back-up and special favors when necessary. The plot revolves around the villain/case that sent Jack packing from the Police Dept. with his tail between his legs and now he has a chance to redeem himself. So all the formulaic "private eye bases" are covered.
First the bad news. The plausibility factor is at times stretched beyond belief - the "bad guy", (with a genius IQ), manipulates the justice system, its associated players and his henchmen with an expertise that borders on farce. Poor Jack with his "past" is constantly fighting an uphill battle in the credibility department with no one giving him the benefit of the doubt until the end.
The good news is that there are some extremely entertaining and poignant vignettes - for instance a kidnapping endeavor at Disney World and the advice/solution Jack gives/provides to wealthy parents about the "disappearance" of their daughter.
Part of my "problem" with this book was the expectation level I had based on the previous reviews. Midnight Rambler is not a bad book - I just didn't find it a great thriller - simply an "average" one.
Rated by buyers -
I don't understand the 4 & 5 star reviews at all. They were part of the reason I picked up this book. There were just way too many coincidences to be believable and I didn't empathize with the the main character at all. He was just pathetic and came off as a real loser. I don't think I need to waste my time with this author again.
Rated by buyers 
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I have read all of Mr. Swain's Tony Valentine books and enjoyed each of them. Then I picked up Midnight Rambler. What a surprise! The subject matter of this book is quite a departure from the Tony Valentine books. And while the other books were interesting, I found this book riveting. The pace never slowed, the characters were fascinating and the plot was creative yet totally believable. If you love thrillers you won't be disappointed with this book.
Rated by buyers -
This book was disappointing. I liked the main character, I liked his dog, I liked a couple of his low life buddies, but the plot needs work. The best part of the book was when Carpenter was finding missing children. The Disney world section was great. Those were the only sections with real detective work going on.
But the main plot line about the all-powerful, all knowing serial killer gang was not well written. Also, I hate plot lines where the police(and the media)just hate the hero and believe the killer for no good reason. There were too many opportunities for the hero to catch the bad guys and he lets them get away. I was tired of the story way before it was finished.
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